I'm currently loading my .308 with 168gr SMK and Lapua Brass. I've been seating them to a depth of 2.0975" THAT is measured using a Sinclair Bullet Comparator with my Micrometer. From what I understand the Sinclair Comparator measure from the transition of the surface bearing area and the ogive. Coincidentally that is where the Redding dies applies pressure as well.
The problem is that from what I can tell my 168gr SMK's are not very consistent in length from that point to the tip of the bullet. I am trimming each bullet back .003 to clean up the meplat's.
My problem is that even though I am getting very consistent readings of 2.0975 with my Comparator. When I measure from base to meplat without the comparator I am getting some bullets as long as 2.860 which is .050 over my chamber and giving me a slight jam.
Not that I'm scared to jam one a little but I am however concerned at the potential of accuracy loss due to some bullets just touching the lands and some being jammed in .050.
HERE's the kicker, my extensive workup of potential loads gave me this seating depth as the best/most accurate otherwise I would just push it down in there a little further.
So I have a few questions:
1. When measuring my seating depths, should I use the Sinclair Comparator or measure without it from base to meplat and adjust die accordingly to compensate for the SMK lengths thus better controlling my "jam vs. jump" length?
OR
2. If not that should I be measuring each SMK and trim meplats accordingly?
3. If I do that will one tip being "pointyer" that another affect accuracy/trajectory?
The problem is that from what I can tell my 168gr SMK's are not very consistent in length from that point to the tip of the bullet. I am trimming each bullet back .003 to clean up the meplat's.
My problem is that even though I am getting very consistent readings of 2.0975 with my Comparator. When I measure from base to meplat without the comparator I am getting some bullets as long as 2.860 which is .050 over my chamber and giving me a slight jam.
Not that I'm scared to jam one a little but I am however concerned at the potential of accuracy loss due to some bullets just touching the lands and some being jammed in .050.
HERE's the kicker, my extensive workup of potential loads gave me this seating depth as the best/most accurate otherwise I would just push it down in there a little further.
So I have a few questions:
1. When measuring my seating depths, should I use the Sinclair Comparator or measure without it from base to meplat and adjust die accordingly to compensate for the SMK lengths thus better controlling my "jam vs. jump" length?
OR
2. If not that should I be measuring each SMK and trim meplats accordingly?
3. If I do that will one tip being "pointyer" that another affect accuracy/trajectory?
